The standing area was totally sold out - in fact standing area 1 sold out the morning tickets went on sale. The problem was they had a barrier up to separate the two sections and had it quite far back to allow for plenty of room which resulted in it looking as thought it wasn't sold out. They should have just moved the barrier further up. The seats were not sold out which I am not surprised as considering a large amount of them were €100-130 which is ridiculous in a recession. The promoters MCD claimed before the gig that they had sold over 50,000 tickets and they considered that a sell out. Staff at the Aviva were informed there were in fact 47,000 in attendance. Either way it is likely the second highest attended concert at the Aviva since it opened. Last year both Lady Gaga and Madonna only sold 37,000 and 33,000 respectively. Neil Diamond held the record for over 50,000 however that gig was a disaster with only half the amount of tickets being sold in the weeks leading up to the event. MCD spend an absolute fortune on radio and tv adverts and a huge amount of tickets were given away in comps. When Bon Jovi's ticket sales for Slane were the worst in history last weekend it was described as “the curse of Neil Diamond” by the Irish Times due the the amount spend on adverts. Robbie's gig was one of the few successful stadium gigs in recent years. Had it been announced with the rest of the tour before Christmas I am sure it would've sold even better. It was announced very late and by that stage loads of Irish fans had assumed there would be no gig so had most likely booked tickets to one of the UK shows. It was a silly move by MCD but considering the prices it is amazing that it sold so well. Most shows here are selling very poorly apart from Bruce Springsteen. Bon Jovi only sold over half of the amount of tickets available and Neil Young sold 18,000 out of 38,000 for the RDS the same weekend.

 

I'll do a proper review of the gig during the week but in short it was a brilliant night. Had really good seats on the lower tier so unlike last time could actually see what was going on. The way he held the crowd in the palm of his hand for 2 hours was classic Robbie. The production of certainly the biggest he's ever had - no real need for it was unlike most pop stars he is the show and his best gigs like Slane had no special effects or big production. It was still pretty cool though. The setlist was interesting. I was glad he still opened with LMEY after ditching it for Radio on the last year 7 years ago. It is by far the best opener for a gig and as usual got everyone bouncing. Would've liked a few more new songs - 'Into The Silence' would have been excellent but it was never going to happen I suppose. Was surprised he didn't sing 'Different' seeing as it was the second single. Not Like The Others in particular was a great stadium tune.

 

As far as the older tunes go - I was disappointed he left off 'Karma Killer' and 'Lazy Days' as he had sung them on the small tour and the O2 gigs. Mandalay and/or Eternity would've gone down well too but why didn't he do Supreme? It's one of his all time great hits and it's fantastic live. I was amazed he brought 'Strong' back yet left Supreme off seeing as he's always disliked Strong. The bit with the bed was amazing though I'lll admit :P Me and My Monkey was a brilliant surprise. Not a track I play very often but the performance reminded me what a cracking tune it is. To see Rob with the mic around his head acting out the whole song was really good. I don't think I've seen him use one of those mics before. Worked really well for Monkey and for the acoustic section which was one of my favourites. Millenium sounded a bit odd but Better Man was amazing. There were a few surprises though - Sexed Up being one considering he didn't even sing it for the Escapology tour - and Sin Sin Sin, IC's lowest charting single. I would've preferred 'Tripping' myself but SSS is good live.

 

It was a fantastic gig and he was in great form. Easily the most relaxed I've seen him perform. I am sure you will love it Nada, even if the setlist isn't pefect (although you can blame him reading the OS forum for including Me and My Monkey as he said he sung it because so many fans requested it :lol: ). It was easily superior to the show I was at the Close Encounters tour. He was a nervous wreck on that tour and it effected his voice and performance. He actually appears to be enjoying himself this time which is great. The encore is predictable but works very well. Closing with 'Losers' on the small tour and O2 shows didn't work. 'Angels' is tradition. The crowd singing it back to him as he walked off was epic.

 

The Sun said in the review that he has sold over 900,000 for the UK alone on this tour which would surely make it the biggest of all time for a solo artist? I know it was going to be the biggest since MJ's Bad Tour. Can't remember the exact figures right now though. I am sure Wembley will be jammed packed. I think it was only the last night that tickets were still be advertised for. 4 night at Wembley is incredible though. I can't think of any solo act that could do that these days.

 

 

I was also at the Bon Jovi concert and the press in some circles appear to have got their articles wrong. Robbie was reported to have played to a packed Aviva which i said before was not the case but i was also very lucky to have gone to Slane to see Bon Jovi as well and the place was absolutely packed, and there is no way only half the tickets were sold because if the same amount showed up again on top of what was there they would have never have fitted in. Slane was heavily packed, granted there was some seats empty up on the back hill that was very far back from the stage but it was a tiny seated area, 250 seats maximum but the seats were so badly situated u would have seen more standing at the very back of the crowd.

 

I do agree though ticket prices are badly affecting concerts, some of the prices are just crazy and even taking out the deep recession we Irish are experiencing you would not be able to afford them. As i said i was lucky to have got free Robbie Tickets but the golden circle tickets for Bon Jovi worked out €120, this is not to mention travel costs etc that go with it as i live around 130 miles away from Slane. People just cant afford prices like that anymore and only will spend on a concert they are huge fans of, the days of casual concerts are long gone when people would say lets go and see what they are like, MCD and the likes should realise this and try and do something about pricing.

Next up is Hampden Stadium, Glasgow :cheer:

 

http://www.glasgowguide.co.uk/GG-ORG/ims-tns/Hampden_Park%201.jpg

 

Jups is going tonight :w00t: She told me yesterday that her tickets had been upgraded from the west

stand to the south stand, a much better view hopefully.

Just home from Hampden. It was a fantastic show. And Olly was great too. And it wasn't raining!!!!!! Oh and my seats got upgraded. Very happy. Full review tomorrow. I took some pictures but being in the seats they are still a bit distant but I'll post them anyway. Oh and tonight's audience was the best of the tour so far... :rolleyes:

 

Off to bed. Byeeee!!!!! :angel:

 

Just home from Hampden. It was a fantastic show. And Olly was great too. And it wasn't raining!!!!!! Oh and my seats got upgraded. Very happy. Full review tomorrow. I took some pictures but being in the seats they are still a bit distant but I'll post them anyway. Oh and tonight's audience was the best of the tour so far... :rolleyes:

 

Off to bed. Byeeee!!!!! :angel:

 

 

 

Of course that audience was the best Jups ;)

Robbie Williams proves he’s still a pup superstar

 

 

http://i42.tinypic.com/mv0v80.jpg

 

Walk DJ ... Robbie Williams with wife Ayda Field

 

 

 

By SAM WALKER

 

SUPERSTAR Robbie Williams takes a paws between gigs — to walk his dogs with missus Ayda Field.

The Rock DJ singer and American actress Ayda lovingly held hands during their stroll near Marr Hall in Bishopton, Renfrewshire.

The couple, who have a daughter Theodora Rose, are staying at the plush hotel during his double-header at Hampden Park.

Former Take That star Robbie appeared relaxed in a baseball cap, zip-up jacket and baggy tracksuit bottoms.

He will hit the stage at the National Stadium in Glasgow this evening — supported by X Factor 2009 finalist Olly Murs — after the first of two shows last night. Robbie is on tour to promote new album Take the Crown.

 

 

The SUN UK

Of course that audience was the best Jups ;)

 

:lol: Indeed, no doubt Wembley will be too.

I'm posting a review of last nights Hampden concert, I have no idea if it's any good or not as I've not read it, trying

my bestest not to spoil things for myself for when I see him.

 

Please no one shout at me if it's a crap review :lol:

 

From: http://entertainment.stv.tv/music/230841-r...hampden-review/

 

'Scotland's son' Robbie Williams Takes The Crown at Hampden

 

http://nfs.stvfiles.com/imagebase/190/623x349/190487-robbie-williams-live-at-hampden-during-2013s-take-the-crown-tour.jpg

 

The ego certainly has landed in Hampden Park, as 'the fat dancer from Take That', or 'Robbie F*@#ing Williams' as he introduced himself last night, returned to Take The Crown for two nights of full-on showmanship before 90,000 Scottish fans. But how does one make an entrance to their comeback? Apparently the only way is shooting flames and a zip slide from the forehead of your very own sphinx. Subtle as ever, Robbie.

 

Sporting a cane and tails on arrival, just in case we weren't going to let him entertain us otherwise, rather than rival show business' new cheeky chappy on the block, old pro Robbie Williams pulled Olly Murs all aboard his first tour since 2006.

 

Winning over grannies' hearts as quickly as he breaks those of the teens who can't have him, four years to the day since his X Factor audition, the smooth-operating pop prince took on the role of warming up the Hampden roar – an easy task when you're dishing out that soul vocal and sharp dance moves, never mind the braces and bowler hat for back up...

 

With the appearance of blue skies adding a generous dose of icing on the cake of the Hampden Park hen party, Murs' new single Dear Darlin' pulled on heart strings, whilst his horn section's rendition of Scotland The Brave had patriotic fans delighted.

 

Spreading the energy of a toddler that's had Red Bull in their Coco Pops, the 29-year-old cranked up a disco medley to hype up the party through a series of high notes and dirty dancing, before his very own Troublemaker hinted at his naughty side, just in time for the real bad boy of pop to make an entrance.

 

The Candy Man intro music was just the start of the narcissistic altar at which Glasgow was about to worship, a tongue-in-cheek reference to the 39-year-old who would have followed the old saying and eaten himself clean off the plate years ago had he been made of chocolate, and for more reasons than one.

 

His aforementioned Bond-esque entrance had everyone in the arena hooked from the appearance of his sparkly silhouette. Even those generally of the opinion that Mr Williams is an obnoxious little pug, (usually a long-suffering husband dragged along by a dictator in a Robbie Williams T-shirt and fresh tan), were pretty much swooning after the stunt, with saltire pants crowning his head before the end of an opening Let Me Entertain You if the daredevil entrance wasn't enough to completely have you won over – it was the pants that did it for me.

 

Already mingling with those in the front row by his second song, Monsoon wasn't far from the condition of the sweat-drenched dad, who was joined by a giant mirror-balled Mr Williams bust – the kind commonly seen in an art gallery rather than those fervently flashed on Hampden pitch last night.

 

Minnie The Moocher took a delve into Swing When You're Winning territory, making the most of his buxom live band and bratty horn section, before a Back In Black mash-up of Kids saw Mr Williams drop Kylie for a younger model in the particularly pert Mr Murs.

 

Joined by another swollen head on stage – that's three in 27 minutes – this side of Robbie's fragmented personality took the form of a bronze cast with a protruding tongue and a spiral staircase around its perimeter, doubling up as a vehicle that was sent out to spice up a run of less popular tracks.

 

Lorna from Glasgow was the envy of the crowd when she was picked out and serenaded with Everything Changes before being taken to bed for a quick spoon and a rendition of Strong – all under some Take That bed covers of course.

 

After a brief lull, the appalling Candy was a sugar rush, whilst quad mirror-ball busts invaded the stage for a finale of Rock DJ. With his abundance of energy still pouring strong, it didn't matter what he was singing, as long as he presented it with the Williams' wink. The crowd were his to own, even if, on a regular night, they'd rather pull their own skin off than participate.

 

Mounting yet another sculpture of his own head for a hit-centric encore, sense was made of the black arm band notably sported throughout the whole upbeat affair. Dedicating Angels to architectural genius and set designer, Mark Fisher, news unravelled of his sad passing yesterday in the emotional finale.

 

Collapsing into a heap of fireworks and sore throats, after two hours of intense on stage camaraderie, the madman’s This Is Your Life that spewed all over Hampden Park last night proved he's still got it, and he's set to be entertaining the masses for years to come.

 

Hello! :o

 

Well, I was at Hampden last night. And it was a lovely, sunny night too. Hampden didn't even look too bad. :P

 

The walk from my friend's house to Hampden was rather faster than I had anticipated (bypassing a couple of pubs <_< ) due to the fact the drive there took me 3 times longer than normal. Traffic was horrendous. Still, nice to see the traffic wardens out in force in all the adjoining streets booking as many cars as possible for daring to have a wheel up on the pavement. Way to go guys.... :rolleyes: :angry: :angry: :angry:

 

As for our seats- as you may remember, I objected really strongly to the ticket prices this time and on principle I bought the cheapest seats going. Side view to stage in the West Stand but I thought £55 plus booking fee and postage was more than enough... Anyway, I was resigned to a night craning my neck and developing a hump twisting round to see the stage. However, on Monday morning my phone rang. 'This is an automated message from Ticketmaster bla bla. Your seats have been upgraded to the South Stand. Visit Box Office.Take original tickets. Get New tickets. Bla Bla.'

 

Oh, I thought. Strange. But I ain't going to argue.

 

So we trotted up to the Box Office outside Hampden. Only a couple of people in front of me. I gave my details and handed over my old tickets. Person then asked me to provide ID to confirm I was the person who had bought the tickets. Just as well I had my bank cards with me. (But anyone who had bought tickets off e-bay etc would have been well snookered....). I asked why we were being reseated. Basically it was because when the stage was set up and tents, kiosks etc erected, they realised that the front few rows in the cheap seats had no view at all. So Ticketmaster had to find us alternatives... Luckily me and my pal were allocated seats next to each other. The 2 girls in front of me in the queue ended up in different rows and weren't too chuffed!

 

So from our original Block B seats, we ended up in Block I.

 

 

Here is where we should have been sitting. Look to the empty blue seats at the left. 2 sections are empty for the front few rows. I should have been here. I think the white tent thing was the problem.

 

http://i42.tinypic.com/34o7akg.jpg

 

 

And here is where we ended up. Seats were just shy of £100 each I believe. Result! Thanks Ticketmaster!!! :P

 

I took this just after we arrived. Stadium was still filling up at this point.

 

 

http://i40.tinypic.com/keemnr.jpg

 

 

As for the actual concert? You'll need to wait until tomorrow for my review of that! :P

 

 

 

 

 

Bye everyone, I am off to London for the weekend :cheer:

Bye Tess! Enjoy! :cheer:

 

Oh and Sparkle, you are quite safe to read my post above. I don't divulge anything in that one!

 

 

x

Bye Tess, have fun! :w00t: :w00t: :w00t:

 

@Jups I read your post :w00t: You definitely got better seats, lucky you!

 

I won't read tomorrows though :P

How long will my cd of last night's concert take to arrive? :unsure:

How long will my cd of last night's concert take to arrive? :unsure:

 

My O2 one arrived a few weeks after I think. It wasn't quick :cry:

Typical. <_<

I'm not going to buy one this time, unless the set list is really really good :unsure:

 

 

Byeeeee !!! Waving madly :cheer:

 

 

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

Anyhoo, I got into Hampden just after 7pm. Olly arrived on stage at about 7.30 and played for about an hour. He was really good. Worked the crowd well and played all his hits together with a 70s disco medley. :P I knew all the songs he sung apart from one album track.

 

I would say that the stadium was really quite full when Olly came on. That's unusual for Hampden. Usually the Hampden punters stay in the pub until about 10 mins before the main act is due on stage and then do a mad sprint to get through the turnstiles in time. So obviously a lot of Robbie fans are also Olly fans. :P

 

 

Here are a few photos of Olly in action.

 

 

http://i41.tinypic.com/5vagqd.jpg

 

http://i44.tinypic.com/4rf9mr.jpg

 

http://i41.tinypic.com/2i11nw9.jpg

 

 

And then it was Robbie time!!!!! :w00t:

 

http://i43.tinypic.com/skxac5.jpg

Here is a selection of photos I took of Robbie. Kind of distant but better than nothing :lol:

 

NB- the black vertical lines in the photos are lighting cables, not a fault in my camera....

 

 

http://i39.tinypic.com/qye001.jpg

 

http://i39.tinypic.com/2zjgzl0.jpg

 

http://i44.tinypic.com/2s7770w.jpg

 

http://i43.tinypic.com/8x9e2w.jpg

 

 

 

http://i40.tinypic.com/dfc461.jpg

 

http://i41.tinypic.com/do8gog.jpg

 

http://i40.tinypic.com/2wgcahl.jpg

 

http://i44.tinypic.com/339rh3o.jpg